Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Berlin
Many Berlin shipments connect via Leipzig/Halle or Frankfurt, which offer more freighter capacity than BER.
Services in Berlin
- Air freight in BerlinAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in BerlinFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in BerlinImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Berlin
- AirportBerlin Brandenburg
BER - AirportLeipzig/Halle
LEJroad feeder - SeaportSea freight via Hamburg
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) serves the capital region and handles air cargo mainly in the bellies of passenger aircraft, with a limited long-haul network. Many Berlin shipments therefore connect via Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), reached by road via the A9, or Frankfurt (FRA), both of which offer far more freighter capacity. Berlin has no seaport of its own; containers are handled via Hamburg and reach the city by rail or by barge on the Elbe and Havel waterways, with the Westhafen as the city's main inland port.
The A10 Berliner Ring encircles the city and links to the A9 (Leipzig, Munich), A24 (Hamburg), A2 (Hanover, Ruhr), A12 (Frankfurt/Oder and Poland) and A11 (Szczecin). Freight villages such as Großbeeren and Wustermark on the ring concentrate distribution centres, and the Westhafen combines inland port, rail terminal and warehousing inside the city.
Industries in Berlin and how we support them
Berlin's economy is driven by technology companies, start-ups, e-commerce and life sciences, including pharmaceutical and biotech firms and research institutes. Shipments are often smaller but time-sensitive: hardware samples, laboratory material, electronics and consumer goods for online retail. Ziem Logistics supports Berlin shippers with air freight under our own air waybills via BER, Leipzig/Halle or Frankfurt, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent items, sea freight via Hamburg for larger volumes, and import clearance by our own customs team, including help for growing companies with their first EORI-based imports.
Operational logistics facts for Berlin
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | Belly cargo, smaller time-sensitive consignments | Departures directly from the capital region |
| Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) road feeder | Freighter capacity for larger air freight | More routing options than BER alone |
| Westhafen Berlin | Inland port and rail terminal for containers via Hamburg | Sea freight delivered into the city without a long truck leg |
| Freight villages Großbeeren and Wustermark | Distribution and e-commerce fulfilment | Pick-up points concentrated on the Berliner Ring |
Customs clearance in Germany
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from Germany we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Germany need an EORI number issued by German Customs.
Frequently asked questions
Do Berlin shipments fly from BER or from Leipzig?
Small consignments can often fly from Berlin Brandenburg (BER) on passenger flights. For larger shipments, dangerous goods or destinations without a suitable BER connection, we usually truck the freight to Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) or Frankfurt (FRA) for freighter departures. We compare options with each booking.
Can you ship laboratory samples from Berlin research institutes?
Yes. We book routings that match the temperature and packaging requirements of the samples and agree handover details with the shipper. For very urgent or sensitive material, an On-Board Courier can hand-carry it. Dangerous goods classifications must be declared correctly before booking.
Do you collect shipments in the Berlin and Brandenburg area?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across Berlin and Brandenburg through trusted road partners, from city addresses to logistics parks on the Berliner Ring, and deliver the freight to the airline at BER, LEJ or FRA.
We are a Berlin start-up importing for the first time. What do we need?
You need an EORI number from German Customs, a commercial invoice with a clear description and value, a packing list and the transport document. We help with the tariff classification and check the documents before our own customs team files the declaration in ATLAS.
Can import clearance for Berlin goods be done at the arrival airport?
Yes. Whether the freight arrives at BER, Leipzig/Halle or Frankfurt, we file the import declaration in ATLAS for the arrival location and then deliver the cleared goods to the Berlin address. Release depends on complete documents.
How are returns from customers outside the EU handled for Berlin online shops?
Returned goods can qualify for relief from import duties if they are re-imported unchanged and the original export can be proven. We check whether the conditions are met and prepare the declaration accordingly, so duties are not charged twice.